Resource Materials for Planning and Self-Assessments

Program Evaluation

Introduction

The following information is provided to assist districts in identifying methods and approaches for evaluating their programs. Districts are encouraged to review the literature on this topic and to develop approaches to evaluating their ELL programs consistent with their respective program designs and individual needs and circumstances.

Because federal law does not prescribe a particular program model or evaluation approach, the approach to, and design of, an effective ELL program evaluation will vary from district to district. The evaluation components set forth below are provided as examples for districts to consider in developing their own approach.

OCR Policy

Districts are required to modify their programs if they prove to be unsuccessful after a legitimate trial. As a practical matter, recipients cannot comply with this requirement without periodically evaluating their programs.

Generally, districts measure "success" in terms of whether the program is achieving the particular goals the district has established for the program and its students. If the district has established no particular goals, the program is successful if its participants are achieving proficiency in English and are able to participate meaningfully in the district's program.